For who can be secure of private right,
If sovereign sway may be dissolved by might?
Nor is the people's judgement always true:
The most may err as grossly as the few.

John Dryden

Absalom and Achitophel

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More information about this quote

Topic

The masses Rule of law Democracy

Author

John Dryden

Source

Absalom and Achitophel

Medium

Poem

Genre

Satire

Language

English

Time

1681 1680s 17th century

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Dryden, John. Absalom and Achitophel. London: Jacob Tonson, 1681, pt. 1, I. 779.

Current Citation

Dryden, John. "Absalom and Achitophel." John Dryden Selected Poems. Penguin Classics, 2002, pt. 1, I. 779.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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A quote by John Dryden about the masses: “For who can be secure of private right, If sovereign sway may be dissolved…”
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Another quote from the 1680s

The alteration of motion is ever proportional to the motive force impressed; and is made in the direction of the right line in which that force is impressed.

Isaac Newton

Principia

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More information about this quote
Topic
Newton's laws of motion Laws of physics

Author

Isaac Newton
Source
Principia
Genre
Scientific literature
Language
Latin
Time
1687 1680s 17th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Newton, Isaac. "Axiomata sive Leges Motus: [Axioms, or Laws of Motion]." Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica [The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy], vol. 1. London: Josephi Streater, 1687, law 2.

Current Citation

Newton, Isaac. "Axioms, or the Laws of Motion." The Principia, translated by Andrew Motte. Prometheus, 1995, law 2.

Another quote about Democracy

In a racially divided society majority rule is not a reliable instrument of democracy.

Lani Guinier

More information about this quote
Topic
Democratic theory Democracy

Author

Lani Guinier
Language
English
Time
1992 1990s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Guinier, Lani. "Second Proms and Second Primaries." Boston Review, 1 Sept. 1992.